NCAA reads riot act to hajj operators

The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority ( NCAA) has read the riot act to operators designated for the air lifting of Muslim pilgrims for this year’s Hajj in Saudi Arabia.

The Director-General, Captain Folayeke Akinkuotu warned the airlines to abide by the regulations, adding that failure to do so could lead to sanctions.

Capt Akinkuotu warned stakeholders against disregard of the law on Hajj and that of the industry, saying that the NCAA would not hesitate to ground any defaulter.

He said: ”Safety and security is key. NCAA will not accept any short coming in terms of operational deficiency. The equipment and crew must be airworthy at all times and passengers be treated with dignity.”

Capt. Akinkuotu charged the National Hajj Commission and airline operators on the Hajj to ensure proper planning and orderliness.

Last month, NCAA said it was not ground any domestic airline. The director-general said NCAA would want airlines to remain afloat, noting that they should obey industry regulations.

He said as a regulator, he would access airlines from the point of view of adherence to the industry laws.

He also said the authority would provide the enabling environment for airlines to operate and succeed, adding that the way to go is to accept compliance with the law.